Razaq Bamidele
When we published in our last edition, “Osun 2022 and Oyetola’s extended honeymoon,” not a few readers and political stakeholders bombarded us with reactions, expressing their views on the publication. They, however, expressed the belief that the end has not been heard about the 2022 governorship election year. And truly, just as we insinuated in the last publication, the analysis is billed to be a running one to accommodate other views in accordance with the ethos of journalism that teach hearing from all the sides involved in an issue.
In our usual manner, we can disclose authoritatively that, the major opposition political party in the state, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has perfected plans to lay strategic ambush for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), with a view to unseating the party and its representative from the Abere, Osogbo Government House in 2022.
Reacting to our last publication that there is lull in the political activities in the state, Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Osun State chapter, Dr. Charles Idowu Omidiji, said it was an act of compliance with the electoral law of the land, saying, activities, before the whistle goes for commencement of electioneering, would amount to jumping the gun.
The Nigerian Xpress learnt from reliable sources that, between now and June, 2021, the party would hit the ground running with a novel strategy that would have the semblance of a parallel government in the state. The parallel arrangement, according to our sources, would not be confrontational but would be so democratic in nature that the people of the state, and even the sitting government would be comfortable with it.
Parallel Government
Our usual reliable sources confirmed the plan for the parallel government that would be introduced into the state’s system subtly without rancour or confrontation. A source hinted that the parallel system would come in form of empowerment programmes that would go round all the over 300 political wards in the state.
Giving an insight into the PDP’s plans to storm the length and breadth of the state with irresistible welfare packages, our source mentioned sinking of boreholes in all the wards to provide clean water to all the residents within just a month.
Spelling out the modality of the operation, the source confided in our correspondent that a respected philanthropist, who is not a politician but appears to have sympathy for PDP, has, in his usual philanthropic manner, acquired 18 highly sophisticated drilling equipment for the project.
According to the source, who claimed to have seen the gadgets in a couple of warehouses where they are kept, said each of the equipment can sink two boreholes per day, meaning that, the 18 procured can sink 36 boreholes every day. If calculated mathematically, in ten days, the drilling equipment, if put into action every day, would sink about 360 boreholes.
This, our sources say, would go along with other empowerment programmes like free training of applicants in various trades, distribution of food stuff, award of scholarship both home and abroad, provision of jobs for the youth, financial help for start-up businesses and medical assistance for people with health challenges, among others.
A close ally to the said philanthropist and international business mogul, said, the plan is to match the government project for project, naira for naira and goodwill for goodwill with the aim of endearing the party into the minds of the people before the election year.
Speaking further, the source hinted that, the very humble and unassuming multi-billionaire also wants to utilise the system to kill two birds with a single proverbial stone. He was said to be planning to soften of the ground ahead of the party primaries in favour of a likely favourite aspirant, whose ambition is to govern the state and to wet the ground ahead of the expected state-wide electioneering that would precede the governorship poll in 2022.
Intra-party crisis
In recent time, the PDP has been engrossed in intra-party crisis that polarised it along two divides. The two divides separately pledged their supports for the two leaders, claiming to be the authentic state chairman of the party. The two leaders are the former chairman, Hon. Adagunodo and Hon. Sunday Bisi.
But in a telephone conversation with Hon. Sunday Bisi Saturday, he confirmed the crisis, adding that the crisis truly became an issue of litigation between him and Adagunodo. According to him, however, the Appeal Court has finally laid the matter to rest on Friday, March 5, by declaring him (Bisi) the authentic state chairman of the party in Osun State.
With this victory, Bisi said the party would be back on its feet to focus on the task of unseating the APC and install the PDP government in the state. And to do this, he told our correspondent that reconciliation of the aggrieved party members had started even right from the court premises that fateful Friday where he said he started extending the hands of fellowship to those concerned.
He also disclosed that after thanksgiving on Monday, March 8, in Osogbo, the arrangement was made to receive a lot of strong defectors from the APC and other political parties to the PDP fold. He expressed optimism that by 17 November 2022, PDP government would replace the APC administration in the state, asserting that, “the electorates are behind us.”
With the Appeal Court verdict, the chairman said the crisis in the PDP is over, saying, it is the APC that now remains enmeshed in an intractable disunity occasioned by the feud between the sitting governor, Alhaji Isiaka Adegboyega Oyetola, and his predecessor, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola.
The crisis in the APC, Bisi said, had moved the electorate “behind us,” because they are wondering where was Oyetola, as the Chief of Staff, when his boss, Aregbesola, was dismantling and renaming heritages and institutions in the state, which he (Oyetola) is now reversing.
Speaking further, the PDP state chairman, said all the political indices in the state now point to the fact that the PDP stands the chance of repeating the 2018 electoral feat before “we were robbed through a Kangaroo re-run.”
Party ticket
Our research shows that because of the poverty in the land that is now being compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic, not many aspirants can stick out their necks to either declare ambition or promise financial support for any aspirant.
Against this backdrop, the only option left for the party is to re-present its 2018 candidate, Senator Nurudeen Ademola Adeleke, whose brother; Chief Deji Adeleke, has the financial muscle and economic biceps to foot the gubernatorial electioneering bills.
But while confirming our observation, Hon. Sunday Bisi, the PDP state chairman, did not mention financial challenges as part of criteria for picking the party’s flag-bearer. However, he disclosed that though there may be primaries where every aspirant would be free to participate, Senator Ademola Adeleke would be given the opportunity of the first refusal before looking somewhere else for the party’s flag-bearer for the 2022 poll. He hinged his preference for Adeleke on his satisfactory performance in 2018, saying, “someone that won election for us in 2018 before the Kangaroo re-run that robbed us of victory, cannot be dropped just like that for any other candidate yet.”
Our findings revealed that PDP’s confidence to re-present Ademola Adeleke might not be unconnected with his unquestionable certificates and the court verdict that cleared him of any wrongdoing in the case of examination malpractices levelled against him.
Powershift
Bisi also informed that the Osun West Senatorial District deserves the slot because the axis has been unfairly marginalised, asserting that, the principle of justice, equity and fair play demands that the slot should go to the western district.
He reminded that Chief Bisi Akande from the Central District spent four years between 1999 and 2003. Also, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, whois from the same Central governed for seven and a half years from May 2003 to November 2014. The Central District has thereby spent eleven and a half years on the gubernatorial throne of the state. The immediate past governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, from the East spent eight years while the West has just spent 18 months during the administration of the late Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke.
Senator Iyiola Omisore’s factor
Going by the role Senator (Dr.) Christopher Iyiola Omisore played in the 2018 that assisted the APC to clinch victory, his crossing over from his Social Democratic Party (SDP), was expected to attract deafening applause from all members of the APC but the reverse has, however, been the case, as discordant tunes welcomed the development. While some hailed the development, some others consider his membership of the APC a curse and a minus for the party.
The controversy the former governor Aregbesola’s stirred in his Ilesha hometown when he visited to revalidate his membership card is still raging like desert fire. Aregbesola, in his characteristic manner of a grassroots mobilizer and crowd puller, stormed the city with his teeming supporters and drummers in toe. While displaying his new membership card, he dropped a bomb shell when he declared that murderers are now in the APC.
While some interpret the statement to mean Aregbesola was referring to Omisore, others insist he never mentioned names. Till date, APC members have been polarised into factions over the statement viewed by political observers, as “inflammatory!”
Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy of the APC in the state, ‘Kunle Oyatomi, in a statement entitled, “Omisore and shape of things to come,” described the arrival of Omisore in the APC as a welcome development, likening him to an asset to the party.
Oyatomi, a veteran journalist and legal practitioner, wrote: “Nigerian political watchers with a cutting appreciation of history are also saying that with the move of Otunba Iyiola Omisore from the Social Democratic Party (SDP) to the governing All Progressives Congress (APC), in the State of Osun, the political calculus is bound to change eventfully to improve the fortunes of APC in any electoral battle. They predict that just as there was a noticeable equilibrium tilt in favour of the Allied Forces when the Americans brought in their military might in the Second World War, Osun APC will also begin to witness added clout in the polls ahead.
“In the case of Omisore, he is offering APC a massive political capital drawing from an enviable past. He was the Deputy Governor under Chief Bisi Akande from 1999 to 2002, a period that saw a progressive administration in Osun State. Omisore has also been a lawmaker, representing Osun East in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for two terms. These are no mean achievements in Nigeria which has a climate with a disturbingly high mortality rate. Scandals scuttle the ambitions of politicians to make them unfit for future engagements in public service.
“State of Osun Governor, Gboyega Oyetola attests to the utility potential of the new APC member. Oyetola described the coming of Omisore as “historic feat” and the landing of a “big fish.”
He recalled how Omisore, then a gubernatorial candidate himself, supported him in the critical governorship rerun in 2018 and said: “With this defection, our long-standing courtship has now been consummated and we are certain that it will yield rewarding political fruits in Osun. His supporters have followed him into the party and what we have now is a fusion of the two parties. So, this is indeed historic.”
African Democratic Congress (ADC)
Contributing, the Chairman, Osun State Chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dr. Charles Idowu Omidiji, has said that, his party stands a brighter chance to win the 2022 governorship race in the state, enthusing that, the people of the state would vote for the ADC as a viable alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Omidiji, a trained veterinary doctor from the University of Maiduguri, in a chat with our correspondent in Osogbo, said, as the Third Force in Osun behind the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), what is needed is just a push in the membership drive and the victory would be ascertained.
The Igbajo, Osun state born politician informed that, “without sounding immodest, we have members across the 30 Local Government Areas and the Area Office of the state,” adding, “we are still multiplying on daily basis.”
The vocal grassroots mobilizer disclosed that the African Democratic Congress (ADC), is the Third Force in Osun behind the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), enthusing that, “having perused our people’s centred manifesto and convinced that we are a viable alternative to APC and PDP, the people will move into our party en masse when our membership drive commences this year.”
He vowed that his party would not relent until it is satisfied and confident that what it has as membership strength across the state is capable of winning the coming governorship poll, informing that, “by the first quarter of 2021, which is now, the party will begin intensive membership drive towards 2022 governorship election.”
“Our chance of ruling the state from 2022 is brighter now because people are tired of both APC and PDP. And in as much as democracy is a game of number, we are not ruling out alliances with other political parties. And if by the grace of God my party is in alliance with some other parties to form a strong Third Force, I have the confidence that ADC in Osun, in a coalition with other parties of like minds will carry the day eventually.
“This is because of our strength as the third strongest party in the state, the coalition would not hesitate to put ADC forward in the Third Force formation as the arrowhead. Our chances of winning are now brighter than ever before because right now, Osun State people are tired of APC and PDP, hence, their yearning for an alternative. And thankfully, the alternative is here,” Omidiji stressed.
The party chair further expressed the confidence that ADC, with its people-oriented programmes, would provide meaningful and credible governance to the good people of the state. He added: “I know with the Third Force in place, ADC stands a good chance to govern Osun State from November 2022.”
Omidiji, however, took a critical look at the performance of the Governor Isiaka Adegboyega Oyetola and declared, “he is doing his best, but his best is not good enough to stop us from dethroning him because we can do better. The good people of Osun need a governor that would surpass his achievement and move the state further forward faster than the current pace.”
On zoning formula, the veterinary doctor cum politician responded, “We don’t want to jump the gun but I can assure you that when we get to the bridge, we shall cross it. Our party can boast of several eminently qualified materials to give the so-called leading parties the run for their money.”
We have an intimidating presence in Osun to win, APGA boasts
Speaking in the same vein, the state chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Pastor Popoola Olatunji (JP), said that numerical strength of his party’s membership in Osun State presently is intimidating, warning that any political party that underrates it in 2022 governorship poll does so at its own peril.
The Ikirun, Osun State-born cleric, boasted in a chat in Osogbo, the state capital, at the weekend that, APGA is so popular in Nigeria that it has become the third largest party in the country “We have a governor in Anambra State and several members of House of Representatives from Anambra, Taraba, Benue, Imo, Abia and Bayelsa States in Abuja,” he reminded.
Speaking further, the APGA state boss asserted that the party’s tentacles are now being extended to Osun State, “where we have members in thousands in addition to several prominent enthusiasts, who are eying the party with a view to joining it.”
While stating that membership drive is a continuous exercise in any political clime, Olatunji expressed delight that “many new and aggrieved members of other parties are already joining our fold on daily basis. Others are still consulting with us since they know that our door is wide open to accommodate all at any time of the day.”
On the 2022 governorship election in the state, the Pentecostal pastor expressed confidence that APGA would give both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the state a serious fight, pointing out that, “with its present strength in the state, APGA would be the party to beat.”
APGA, according to Olatunji, is well positioned and well prepared to win the governorship election for good and not just to participate for mere participation sake. He added that with hunger and poverty ravaging the people in the state, the chance of APGA as the viable alternative should not be under estimated because APGA government is possible from November 2022.
On forming a working alliance with other parties, Olatunji said, it may be possible but “but for now, there is nothing of such yet,” he quickly added.
Though he admitted that Governor Isiaka Gboyega Oyetola has done and is still doing his best, he maintained that, “an APGA government would bring back the lost glory of Osun state from 2022.”
As at the time of compiling these reports, there were unconfirmed reports that some splinter groups under the umbrella of the Coalition of Registered Political Parties (CRPP), are teaming up to spring a surprise in 2022. How formidable they would be, remains under political conjecture for now.
Since 24 hours is a long time in politics, all the contenders are not likely to rest on their oars as complacency can be dangerous. What is clear to all observers now in Osun State is that, the lull in the political space has been in favour of Governor Oyetola whose popularity appears to be increasing on daily basis.
